President’s Message – January 2026

Dear NCME Colleagues,

The start of a new year is a natural moment to reflect and to look forward, and I am doing so with both continuity and change in mind. NCME enters 2026 on the strong foundation of the organization’s core mission and goals, while also embracing new leadership, new partnerships, and new opportunities to support our members and strengthen and advance the field of educational measurement.

Below are key updates and several ways to stay engaged with NCME in the months ahead.

Welcome to Our New Executive Director: Susan Lyons

We are pleased to welcome Susan Lyons as NCME’s new Executive Director. Susan brings extensive leadership experience and a strong commitment to professional service, and she joins NCME at a moment of both continuity and opportunity. As Executive Director, Susan will build on NCME’s strong foundation—supporting our members, sustaining core programs, and upholding the values that have long defined the organization—while also providing steady operational leadership as NCME responds to emerging needs and new directions in the field. Her leadership will be instrumental as NCME continues to evolve in ways that strengthen our impact and broaden our reach. We are excited to partner with Susan and look forward to the perspective she brings to this role. Please join us in welcoming her to the NCME community.

NCME Elections Close January 15: Check Email for Ballot

NCME members are invited to vote for the incoming Board of Directors for 2026, with the election closing January 15. We are fortunate to have a slate of six qualified and experienced candidates for you to choose from. All have volunteered their time, service, and ideas to be added to this election slate. Candidate statements are now available on the NCME website.

Eligible voting members have received an email and link to the ballot through our voting system, OpaVote. If you have not received a ballot, please verify it is not in your junk email, then contact ncme@ncme.org. Thank you to the Nominations and Elections Committee, consisting of Andrew Ho, Derek Briggs, and Kristen Huff, for assembling this great slate of candidates.

New Membership Benefits: Educational Assessment and Educational Measurement 5 Access

NCME is pleased to announce that members may now access the journal Educational Assessment for free through the NCME website. The NCME Classroom Assessment Committee (CAC) has worked for over two years to arrange for this outlet for high-quality research on classroom summative and formative assessment. Complete access to Educational Assessment, including back issues, is now free for all NCME members using the portal once logged into your NCME account. See more information here.

Additionally, the NCME-sponsored fifth edition of Educational Measurement is also available, including via open access due to contributions from Susan Trent and the family of former NCME Board Member Steve Ferrara. Many thanks to all those involved in bringing this edition to publication, including editors Linda Cook and Mary Pitoniak.

Making Our Way to LA: Regional Meet-Up in Iowa City
on February 19

I am excited to host a second NCME regional meet-up, this time in Iowa City, Iowa, on February 19. This informal gathering is designed to foster connection, conversation, and community among measurement professionals at all career stages. Whether you’re local to the area or passing through, I hope you’ll join me and your local colleagues for good company, good discussion, and a chance to connect with fellow NCME members. Find more details and register here.

NCME 2026 Annual Meeting: Registration is Now Open

Speaking of making our way to L.A., registration is now open for the NCME Annual Meeting, April 8–11! This year’s meeting will be held at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown and will provide an enriching educational and memorable experience. I am grateful that we were able to maintain our previous registration rates and also that we will be providing travel grants again this year. More information about the conference is available here.

Content and Assessment Development Specialists Focus Groups: Thank You for the Rich Conversations

I, along with Cara Laitusis and Sue Lottridge, recently convened focus groups with leaders of assessment development specialists to better understand their professional needs, challenges, and priorities. We are grateful to those who participated and shared their perspectives candidly. Insights from these conversations will help to inform NCME’s initiatives in the areas of programming, resources, and engagement opportunities tailored to this important segment of our membership and field.

Committee Focus: Website Committee

Later in the newsletter, read more about how the Website Committee was integral to the transition of the NCME website and worked closely with Atria staff to ensure a seamless experience for our members. The committee continues its work to improve the usability, clarity, and functionality of the website, and we appreciate the committee’s behind-the-scenes labor.

Graduate Programs in Measurement: A Growing Resource

NCME has recently updated and shared a comprehensive list of U.S.-based graduate programs in educational measurement, psychometrics, and closely related fields. This resource is intended to support prospective students, advisors, employers, and anyone seeking a clearer picture of the preparation pathways into our field. In parallel, NCME is collaborating with the Psychometric Society to develop a complementary international list of graduate programs. This effort reflects our shared commitment to supporting the global measurement community and making pathways into the field more visible and accessible worldwide.

As always, thank you for your engagement, your service, and your commitment to advancing educational measurement in the service of society. I look forward to working together in the year ahead as NCME continues to move the field forward.

Warm regards,
Amy Hendrickson
President, NCME